8 weeks before
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Remove unnecessary things from your basement, your attic, basement and your storage shed. Make sure you use up items that you can’t move, such as any type of frozen foods, cleaning supplies, etc.
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You should research information online about your new community or town.
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Try and get a hold of a floor plan of your new home and decide what household items you want to keep.
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Start inventorying your possessions.
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Call and receive estimates from at least three moving companies.
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Ask the insurance agent who has your homeowners insurance to find out to what degree your move is covered.
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Create a file for documenting all moving papers and receipts.
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Be sure to arrange the transfer your children’s school records.
6 weeks before
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Contact the IRS or CPA for the latest information on what is tax-deductible.
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Look at your possession – can you donate anything? Do you really need it all?
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Be sure to contact your friends, relatives, professionals, creditors, subscriptions, and give them your new address.
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Subscribe to the local paper in your new town, or read the local paper online. Familiarize yourself with local government, community and social news and activities.
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If you’re storing any belongings off site, you should begin that process now.
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Locate high-quality health-care professionals, hospitals and doctors in your new town.
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Complete change of address information for the following: banks; charge cards; religious organizations; doctors/dentist; relatives and friends; income tax bureau/Social Security Administration/union; insurance broker/lawyer/CPA/ stockbroker; magazines; post office; and schools.
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Clean out your closets.
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Hold a yard or tag sale or donate items to charity.
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Choose a moving company. Contact your mover to make arrangements and inquire about insurance coverage.
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If relocating due to a job transfer, contact your new employer to see what costs, if any, they will cover.
4 weeks before
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Start packing!
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Send furniture, drapes and carpets for repair/cleaning as needed.
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Start putting together your auto license and registration documents, medical, dental and school records, birth certificates, wills, deeds, stock and other financial documentation, etc.
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Contact all of your utility companies, such as gas, electric, oil, water, telephone, cable TV and trash collection companies for service disconnect /connect at your old and new addresses. Be sure to request your final readings.
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Request a refund on unused homeowner’s insurance, security deposit with your landlord, and prepaid cable or satellite service.
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If it applies, contact your snow removal service, landscaping service and pool service.
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Contact insurance companies (auto, homeowner’s, medical and life) to arrange for coverage in your new home.
Three weeks before
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Start making travel plans.
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Begin to close current bank accounts and open accounts in your new community if it’s necessary.
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Notify your state’s motor vehicle bureau of your new address.
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If you have children, be sure to arrange care for them on moving day.
Two weeks before
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Arrange any special transportation needs for pets and plants.
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Be sure your car is serviced and ready for the trip.
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Contact your moving company and review final arrangements for your move.
One week before
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Prepare detailed directions and an itinerary with emergency numbers for your moving company.
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Settle any outstanding bills with local businesses. Be sure to pick up and dry cleaning, and return library books and rented DVDs and videos.
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Call your veterinarian and get copies of your pet’s medical records.
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Drain gas and oil from power equipment.
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Give away any plants that not being moved.
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Cancel your daily newspaper.
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Purchase a couple of week’s worth of medication and have your prescriptions forwarded to your new pharmacy.
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Buy traveler’s checks.
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Make arrangements to pay for your move.
Two to three days before
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If you’re not packing yourself, be sure to have your mover pack.
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Defrost your refrigerators and freezer..
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You might think about putting together all your valuables and giving them to family or friends to hold until the move is completed.
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Disconnect all major appliances.
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Contact your moving company for any updates.
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Pack your first-night items that you will need immediately… and a survival kit. Put them in separate boxes in your car. The items you would need on the first night may include: sheets, towels, toiletries, phone, alarm clock, change of clothes and flashlight.
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Your survival kit may include: scissors, utility knife, coffee cups, instant coffee/tea or a coffee maker, water and soft drinks, snacks, paper plates, plastic utensils, paper towels, toilet paper, soap, pencils and paper, local phone book, masking and/or duct tape, trash bags, shelf liner and some painkiller medication such as aspirin.
Moving day
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Be available to answer any questions your mover may have.
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Record all utility meter readings for your water, electric and gas.
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Stay until your movers are finished.
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Complete information on the bill and carefully read the document and the inventory sheet before signing it.
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Keep your copies of the bill and inventory until your possessions are delivered, the charges are paid and any claims are settled.
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Take one final look around to see if you forgot anything.
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Give movers the directions to your new home, and an emergency number where you can be reached during the move.
Upon Arrival
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Unpack first-night items and mover’s survival kit.
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Be at the destination to welcome the movers and be on hand to answer any questions.
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After the job is completed, pay what is owed. The driver is obligated by law (a federal requirement for interstate moves) to collect payment upon delivery.
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Scrutinize the unloading of your items and account for each one on your inventory sheet. Check promptly and carefully for any damaged or missing items.
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Place moving and other important documents in a safe place.
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Go to the post office and collect any mail that was held.